Swallows and streamers
Scientists have placed Swallows into wind tunnels and studied the aerodynamics of their flight. Their long tail streamers appear to help their …
Hearts and Sea Pinks
The Sea Pinks are at their quivering best and this tight group in a cosy crevice has a heart-shaped stone for company. …
A world turned upside down
Ravens are wary birds. They recognise humans from a huge distance and fly away, because all of those who didn’t have been …
Like pebbles on a beach
Every beach on Westray has a different character. There are pure white shell sand beaches which wouldn’t be out of place in …
A pied landscape
Out past the beach and the relative calm of the Bay of Swartmill is a shattered and splintered landscape of monochrome rocks …
Industrious Linnets
I love to see Linnets, with their bouncing flight, and constant twittering. They are nesting in my garden again.
A splash of Sanderling
It’s a dull day but I’m forcing myself to go out. If you only ever went out on sunny days in Orkney, …
An egg on the edge
I’ve abandoned the car and I’m exploring some of the abandoned buildings of Westray. This building has what must be a piece …
Tied to the ribbon of the tideline
It’s rare for me to photograph Dunlin. They’re normally too far away and I don’t want to disturb them. It’s only if …
Scolder
As soon as I walk anywhere on the coast of Westray, there’s a noisy complaint. The Shaalders, or Scolders, are out, and …
The Flower of the Vine returns
Wheatears are back on Westray. They’ve made their way from Africa to Westray to raise their families in hollows, rabbit burrows and …
Otherworld
I’m fascinated by the senses and consciousness of other species. They inhabit such strange ‘other’ worlds. Judging by how fascinated this Grey …
Eider Down
I’m walking in the far north of Westray. I’ve been scrambling up cliffs, walking across rocky beaches and yomping across grassy fields. …
Sandwich Tern dive
I’d like to know if there’s some research about the angle of dive which different tern species use. Is the angle they …
Oystercatcher in sunshine
Sometimes Oystercatchers call out in alarm as I approach. Sometimes they fly and harass me. Sometimes they just sit and watch. This …
Skylark on a stab
Walking, cycling or driving around Westray is accompanied by Skylarks tinkling and fluttering in the air. They’re either buried deep in cover, …
Terns in tandem
At this time of year there’s much interaction between Common Terns on Westray. They call, fly together, have mock-beak-battles and chase one …
Touching waves with wing-tips
I love to walk along the Sands o’ Maesan, climb the rocks at the end of the beach, and make my way …
Sanderling incoming
It’s a dull day when the Sanderling arrive. It’s soon bright and beautiful on the white shell sand beach as they pick …
Cattie-face
There’s been a Cattie-face (a Short-Eared Owl) hunting in Skelwick for months now. I see it often when I travel to the …
Sedge Warbler at Roadmire
It’s reassuring that the Sedge Warblers are back at Roadmire. Their song is an itch you just can’t scratch.
Atlantic Puffin enthroned in Sea Pinks
Here’s a Puffin, elegantly enthroned in a garden of Sea Pinks. That orange and pink is quite a severe clash. And here’s …
Feeding time
It’s important to time having your chicks at the time of maximum food abundance. The Starlings of Westray seem to have mastered …
A trip to the Arctics
I’m going on a trip to the Arctics. No, not the North Pole, I’m going on a trip to see the Arctic …
Scurrying Sanderling
Sanderling are one of my favourite wading birds. Actually, they’re one of the few species of waders I can identify reliably. I …
Honey Buzzard
Our friend Tina sends a message on the local wildlife WhatsApp Group. It’s a photograph of the back of her camera showing …
Eider
I’ve never had a close view of a male Eider drake before. And now I have. They’re sailing the coasts of Orkney …
Close up with a Great Northern Diver
As I drive past I can see there’s a Great Northern Diver in Pierowall Bay. It’s unusually close to the shore. That …
Red-Backed Shrike
There’s been an influx of Red-Backed Shrikes throughout Orkney and Westray has had its fair share. I’ve seen one before, in Italy, …
Pipit, pipit
Meadow Pipits have a rather serious, stoic look. There are hundreds of families of Meadow Pipits on Westray, and, as I stood …